Geneva Motor Show
Nissan Press Conference
2nd March 2010
Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Company Ltd
###
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Today Nissan is introducing three new models that stretch the boundaries of conventional thinking in the automotive world. I will show you a segment expander… a breakthrough technology… and a versatile new product for worldwide markets.
Nissan is committed to investing in great products, such as our popular Qashqai crossover. Customers bought more than 200,000 Qashqais in 2009, and we expect demand for our medium crossover to continue to increase.
The success of Qashqai inspired us to stretch the boundaries of what “crossover” means with a new addition to our lineup: the Nissan Juke.
Nissan is bringing the industry’s first small crossover into the small car market.
Juke combines the toughness of a sport-utility vehicle with the driving pleasure and stylish good looks of a sports car. Its 1.6-litre turbocharged, direct-injection engine provides the power you would expect from a 2.5-litre engine with the fuel efficiency of a smaller engine.
Juke will be sold in Europe, Japan and the United States. European sales will begin this fall.
As the fourth crossover in our European lineup, Juke will bring to a new generation of buyers Nissan’s appealing combination of forward-looking design, fun to drive, innovation and quality. We estimate that 80% of Juke buyers will be new to Nissan… and Juke will give them all a positive introduction to our brand.
A pioneer in an entirely fresh direction is the Nissan LEAF, the innovative zero-emission vehicle making its first European appearance.
The five-passenger Nissan LEAF is the first model in a complete lineup of all-electric cars that the Renault-Nissan Alliance is designing to be mass marketed. For consumers, that translates into affordable appeal since the LEAF’s total ownership costs will be similar to a comparable diesel compact car.
The LEAF will rewrite the rule book on mobility. Soon, owners can communicate with their cars with their cell phones. With overnight charging at home, they can bypass trips to the petrol station forever. Most importantly, they can enjoy the full benefits of zero, with zero emissions… zero noise… zero petrol… zero hassle.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is actively working with governments and other partners throughout Europe to develop the EV charging infrastructure. Our high-performance batteries will be produced in France, the United Kingdom and Portugal.
The Nissan LEAF will be sold through selected dealers beginning in December 2010, with pre-orders to begin in the summer. Many European governments are offering significant incentives to promote electric cars, so owning a Nissan LEAF is not only an environmentally smart decision – it’s economically smart as well.
Finally, Nissan is stretching the boundaries with the launch of a vehicle lineup that represents forward-thinking planning… breakthrough engineering… and a strategic investment for Nissan’s future growth. I am pleased to introduce the first of Nissan’s global V-platform vehicles – the all-new Nissan Micra.
Combine 25 years’ experience of designing compact cars for city driving… with a totally new, versatile platform and Nissan production know-how… and the result is modern, simple and destined to be a serious competitor on the world stage.
Micra’s lightweight, compact size is ideal for easy maneuvering, and its roomy cabin invites its passengers to enjoy the ride in quiet comfort.
Most importantly, Micra’s new engine makes eco-friendliness accessible to everyone. At its introduction, the engine will emit 115 grams of CO2. Within six months, a high-tech derivative will emit 95 grams per kilometer – an outstanding level that no other affordable petrol car in its class can match. This car will set a new standard for fuel efficiency worldwide – including Japan and Thailand.
In Europe, the new Nissan Micra will go on sale in November 2010.
Our next compact cars are in the pipeline. In the past, Nissan had a minimal presence in the compact segment because we did not have a specific platform suited for those customers’ needs.
This new platform changes everything. Now we will be able to compete… and at the highest level. Our investments in the new platform, new powertrain, new manufacturing footprint and a family of products reflect our commitment to meet growing customer needs for appealing compact cars.
Our new lineup of compact cars will help to increase Nissan’s global market presence from 80% today to 94% in 2012. At full-ramp up, in 2013, we expect annual sales of our global compact cars to top 1 million units.
Our vision is to enrich people’s lives through attractive, accessible products and technologies. Global markets are changing… our environment is changing… and we are adapting to these realities. We want to stretch the boundaries of what is valuable or even possible – whether through an innovative and very competitive global compact car… or the world’s first affordable mass-marketed zero-emission car.
You can expect the best from Nissan.
# # #
